The West Leeds community continues to rally during the coronavirus pandemic – here’s our latest round-up.
Latest figures released today show there have been four more confirmed Covid-19 deaths at Leeds hospitals.
Birthday in lockdown
Dispatch reader Clare Wigzell sent us this lovely photo of her neighbour, and wrote:
“This is my neighbour’s little girl on a lockdown 5th birthday. We provided the banner on our side of the fence and the doctor kit. We played musical statues in our own gardens and had to dance like animals.”
Farsley Celtic Ladies support charity
Farsley Celtic Women are currently undertaking a lockdown version of the 92-club challenge to raise funds for the Darby Rimmer Foundation and the NHS Charities.
Farsley Celtic Women Manager Sam Jackson said:
“Our aim is to cover the distance that it would take to complete a route that we have drawn up in order to ‘visit’ all 92 football league clubs (including Bury) in the top four flights of English football.
“In total, we have 2,339 miles to cover in May between our first team’s staff and players.”
Pudsey: help is at hand
Volunteers behind the Pudsey Community Project don’t just provide food for those in need. They’re also providing befriending, mental health support, shopping for people who can’t get out, prescription collection and much more.
The project is in need of toiletries and especially sanitary products. “We know that a lot of people are struggling to get these with lockdown and this can make things more difficult and embarrassing, especially for women,” said a spokesperson.
Clap for Carers in Bramley
Bramley Baths 500k fundraiser
Staff at historic Bramley Baths have been running or walking 500k to raise money to help the Baths re-open. Not only have the staff smashed their target with five days to go in their 14-day fundraiser, they’ve also raised more than £1,300 too.
You can donate here.
Food hampers at New Wortley
Volunteers and staff from New Wortley Community Centre have been out delivering food hampers and children’s craft activity packs, among other things …
#ProudOfOurTeam Food parcels, shopping, prescriptions and hot meals delivered, Activity packs, Phone calls, growing food and other fantastic goings on. Wow! All this couldn't be done without our amazing team of staff and volunteers. #TeamLeeds #TeamArmley #TogetherLeeds #Amazing pic.twitter.com/u5TfEz10VF
— 'New Wortley Community Association (@NewWortleyCC) May 7, 2020
Ladies and gentlemen, Elvis is in the New Wortley building …
When Sam Horner got furloughed from his job with one of rugby’s biggest clubs he decided he wanted to help out in the community he grew up in – New Wortley. Sam’s going down a storm as a community stalwart who just happend to be an Elvis impersonator. Read the YEP story here.
Barca helps young during pandemic
West Leeds-based Barca, which runs youth clubs for 11 to 19-year-olds, saw its ongoing work with young people during the pandemic highlighted in a Guardian article.
Virtual club sessions through Zoom, and one-to-one online drop-in sessions with youth workers at fixed times five days a week, are both proving popular.
Barca has also distributed activity packs for young people and their younger siblings. “It’s great for them, but it also allows us to have face-to-face contact,” says Amanda Sykes, senior practitioner in Barca’s children, young people and family service.
And recently the charity held its second socially distant doorstep dance session, alongside social enterprise DAZL Dance.
Another successful #gardengroovers with @DAZL_Leeds today on Broadlea Road! We had 42 participants join in from their doorsteps and outside their gardens. And received some excellent feedback from families 😊#community #active @Child_Leeds @kevin_ritchie1 @SaferLeeds @WLDispatch pic.twitter.com/OmK61k0cyM
— BARCA Leeds Young People (@Barcaleedsyp) May 6, 2020
Greggs donates doughnuts
Greggs Bakery in Bramley donated 500 doughnuts to be shared between children of key workers who still attend Cullingworth Village Primary School in Bradford and those forced to take lessons at home. Read the T&A report here.
Mecca Bingo donates chocolates to Swinnow CC
Mecca Bingo in Huddersfield donated chocolates to the community support effort orchestrated at Swinnow Community Centre. Other recent donators include Fox’s Biscuits and Pudsey House.
Volunteers at the centre are providing packed lunches for the kids, elderly and vulnerable people.
Burley St Matts
One of our local churches, St Matts in Burley, has an amazing weekly online timetable including bedtime stories, live services and a youth talk. Here’s the timetable – click the link to find out more.
Wellington Street in lockdown
